By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives has threatened to issue warrants of arrest against chief executives of telecommunications companies over their failure to personally appear before lawmakers to explain persistent poor network services across the country.
The warning followed the rejection of an attempt by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) to represent the affected companies through its chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, at a hearing of the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating telecommunications service quality on Wednesday.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun State), directed the chief executives and other senior management officials of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other licensed operators to appear on November 4, 2026.
The lawmakers said the companies must individually account for their operations, particularly amid persistent complaints by subscribers about dropped calls, slow internet speeds, failed airtime and data transactions, and inadequate network coverage.
The operators had been invited on October 21 but reportedly delegated Adebayo to represent them, a move the committee considered unacceptable.
Hon. Sunday Umeha, who moved the motion for the executives to appear, argued that each telecommunications company held an individual licence from the Federal Government and could not rely on an industry association to discharge its accountability obligations.
He also faulted a letter reportedly written by ALTON questioning the committee’s authority to compel the operators to attend the hearing, describing the position as inconsistent with the constitutional responsibilities of the National Assembly.
“I was shocked with what I saw in the letter. I saw a situation where ALTON is saying that they are not bound to appear before this committee. They see their appearance as a privilege to this committee and not as a statutory obligation,” Umeha said.
Citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, he maintained that the legislature had the authority to investigate matters within its legislative competence, including the implementation of government policies affecting telecommunications services.
The House spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr., who seconded the motion, said individual operators must answer for their service delivery because subscribers deal directly with the companies providing their networks.
Rotimi raised concerns over poor connectivity in parts of his constituency in Ekiti State, warning that the absence of network signals could prevent residents and travellers from contacting security agencies during emergencies. He alleged that two traditional rulers in his constituency had been killed in an ambush along a road where mobile network signals were unavailable for about 20 minutes.
The committee also questioned Adebayo about a reported ₦8.46 billion fine imposed on Globacom, raising concerns about the ability of an industry association chairman to address company-specific regulatory and operational issues on behalf of an individual operator.
A representative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) informed the lawmakers that the invitations had been communicated directly to the chief executives. The confirmation reinforced the committee’s position that the operators had been duly notified.
The investigation comes amid continuing public complaints about telecommunications services, despite regulatory interventions. The NCC reportedly disclosed on October 20 that operators had compensated 75 million subscribers for poor service in 2026, while nearly three million others received refunds for failed airtime and data transactions. More than 6,500 network interventions were also reportedly undertaken during the year.
Figures for the first half of 2026 showed that MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and T2mobile recorded a combined 413,587 consumer complaints. Airtel accounted for 228,992 complaints, MTN recorded 124,405, Globacom had 56,810, while T2mobile recorded 3,885. Although 406,938 complaints were reportedly resolved, concerns over network reliability have persisted.
Following the adoption of Umeha’s motion through a voice vote, the committee adjourned its sitting until November 4, warning that the operators’ chief executives must appear to explain their performance and outline concrete measures to improve service quality, expand coverage and address persistent connectivity gaps.
